Training camp preview: Position Battles
Nothing makes my back hair (my girlfriend wants to know if a back-to-scalp hair transplant is possible -- any scientists out there?) stand up straight like the words training camp battle. I went through some potential battles here about five weeks ago, so I won’t go too in depth on those.
Editor's Note: Get the draft guide for full breakdowns on every single player mentioned here.
But as we prepare to dive in headfirst for six months of fun, here are some fresh battles to monitor closest in August:
1. Giants No. 2 WR: Hakeem Nicks vs. Mario Manningham
Honestly, I didn’t even think this was a real competition. Nicks does just about everything better than Manningham and should absolutely decimate the man that ripped my heart out on this play four years ago. But ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk thinks there’s a competition here, so let’s get it on. Evan Silva highlights why he likes Nicks this year here.
2. Packers No. 3 WR: James Jones vs. Jordy Nelson
We knew about Jones’ big spring and talent, but then ESPN’s John Clayton goes and says that Jordy Nelson is going to beat Jones out. Huh? Jones has outperformed Nelson for two straight years and nothing appeared to change this spring. Unless Jones faceplants, look for him to be the one picking up snaps if Donald Driver goes down.
3. Raiders No. 1 RB: Michael Bush vs. Darren McFadden
I’m not sure if this is a real competition or just a battle to see how roles shake out. But that’s the beauty here -- both guys are going to get plenty of reps, it’s just a question of when and where. Will McFadden be completely phased out of the inside running and goal-line game? Will Bush finally be given a chance to carry the ball 15+ times a game? I still like McFadden as the guy with more upside, so a strong camp would shoot him up my board.
4. Steelers goal-line RB: Rashard Mendenhall vs. Jonathan Dwyer vs. Isaac Redman
The Steelers have repeatedly said that this job is open for competition. If Mendenhall can lock it down, he’ll be a very solid first-round pick. If he can’t, then he becomes more of a gamble.
5. Colts No. 2 WR: Pierre Garcon vs. Anthony Gonzalez
The Colts' brass has apparently promised Gonzalez a shot at Garcon’s gig, but we’re not holding out much hope. Garcon was so impressive last year and Gonzalez’s injury situation is still very muddled. The better battle could end up being Gonzalez vs. Austin Collie for the slot gig.
6. Seahawks No. 1 RB: Julius Jones vs. Justin Forsett
Coach Pete Carroll is making this one nice and fun, using his Twitter page to say that the battle is too close to call. You can bet strongly on some type of committee here, with Leon Washington also involved if healthy. The exact split of work is what we will try to get our heads around.
7. Rams No. 1 QB: Sam Bradford vs. A.J. Feeley
Neither of these guys are really draftable in re-draft formats, but Bradford’s pinpoint accuracy would help the causes of guys like Donnie Avery and Laurent Robinson.
8. 49ers No. 2 RB: Anthony Dixon vs. Glen Coffee
Hopefully this will become clear so Frank Gore owners know who their handcuff is.
BATTLES I DON’T CARE ABOUT
1. Bills No. 1 QB: Trent Edwards vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Brian Brohm
These three withering disasters will go toe-to-toe for a shot at fantasy irrelevance.
2. Bills No. 1 RB: Fred Jackson vs. Marshawn Lynch vs. C.J. Spiller
I know I’ll take some heat for this, but I’m just staying away from this situation altogether. This Buffalo dust ball will be someone else’s headache for me.
BATTLE THAT ISN’T REALLY A BATTLE
1. Colts No. 1 RB: Joseph Addai vs. Donald Brown
With Addai entering a contract year and Brown ready to improve on his unimpressive rookie year, some are calling this a competition. But the Colts are obvious Super Bowl contenders and have a ton of trust in Addai. I doubt Brown will get a fair shake in camp.
BATTLES WE’VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT
Bears No.2 WR: Johnny Knox vs. Devin Aromashodu
Even I’m getting fatigued on this one. Until proven otherwise, the bottom line is I’m targeting Knox in all leagues.
Texans No. 1 RB: Arian Foster vs. Ben Tate vs. Steve Slaton
There’s some fresh news on this one, as one writer is predicting that Tate will be odd man out to start the season. I’ll probably let someone else deal with this mess too, depending on how far they fall on draft day.
Browns No. 1 RB: Montario Hardesty vs. Jerome Harrison
I like Harrison as a runner more than most, and probably more than the Browns do. I doubt one of these guys will be able to separate in camp.
Seahawks No. 2 WR: Golden Tate vs. Deion Branch
Tate is set up to be fantasy’s best rookie wide receiver and is one of my favorite late-round fliers.
Texans No. 2 WR: Kevin Walter vs. Jacoby Jones
Can Jones overcome the $21.5 million contract the Texans gave Walter this offseason?
Bills No. 2 WR: James Hardy vs. Steve Johnson
A yawner unless you’re in a very deep league.
Panthers No. 2 WR: Dwayne Jarrett vs. Brandon LaFell
Even though Jarrett is up against the wall in a make-or-break situation, he’s probably just not good enough.
Bengals slot receiver: Andre Caldwell vs. Jordan Shipley
Shipley seems ideally suited to play this role. He’s also a wedding singer.
Jaguars No. 2 WR: Mike Thomas vs. Jarrett Dillard
Coach Jack Del Rio has already cast off Troy Williamson, identifying these two as his No. 2 and 3 right now.
Cowboys No. 2 WR: Roy Williams vs. Dez Bryant
Bryant is going to get all the headlines, but Roy won’t just go away. I suspect Dez will be going to high in re-draft leagues.
Jets third-down back: LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Joe McKnight
Yeah, I said it. Tomlinson has no shot at passing Shonn Greene and have to scrap to hold off McKnight all year.
Bucs No. 2 WR: Mike Williams vs. Reggie Brown vs. Maurice Stovall
Williams, the controversial yet talented rookie, generated plenty of good buzz in the spring and is the only one I’d even consider taking a flier on.
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Editor's note: The draft guide will be updated to reflect changes in these position battles as camp moves on!
Comments
How about Deon Butler for Seahawks' No. 2? I think he has a better shot than Tate ... and probably Branch as well, since he could still be on the chopping block.
Posted by: Chris Wesseling | July 22, 2010 2:04 PM
Better to have back hair than ass hair.
True story.
Posted by: Scott C | July 22, 2010 2:45 PM
Wess,
I think your taking away too much credit to G.Tate. Adam is right, hes the most likly WR to lead all rookies. Hes much too talented and dynamic not to bypass both Deion's. Plus Branch and Housh are major injury risks, so theres an even extra chance Tate will see the field, possibly like DJax did his rookie year.
Posted by: Scott C | July 22, 2010 2:53 PM
2010 donald brown = 2009 rashard mendenhall
both running backs had disappointing rookie years behind mediocre veterans after much was expected of them given their opportunity. although mendenhall's rookie numbers looked even worse because his season was cut short and parker was even more mediocre and a year older at the beginning of last year (28 vs addai's 27) than addai was, there a lot of similarities here. as we know, addai has underwhelmed the past two years posting 3.5 ypc in 2008 and 3.8 ypc in 2009.
given his situation and pedigree, i don't see what's not to like about donald brown. both mendenhall and brown were drafted in the first round, which is important in these teams giving them a chance (mendenhall 23rd, brown 27th). in a redraft league, brown may need an addai injury to get a real chance. but given the fact that brown is playing behind a guy that hasn't played 16 games since his rookie year in 2006, i'll certainly shake the dice on him long before his mid 7th round adp in a 12 team league at pick 88 (fftoolbox). couple this with the fact that addai will be a free agent at the end of the year, brown's value is even higher in keeper and dynasty leagues!
Posted by: joeymitch | July 22, 2010 4:07 PM
Worthless. ^ ^
Posted by: NYC | July 22, 2010 4:31 PM
totally wrong about Raiders RB, the pick is Bush and the possibility of 15+ carries and touchdowns, not McFadden who has already shown his upside is at best Reggie Bush numbers...
Even if Mendenhall gets goaline carries, the Steelers line stinks, there's no Ben and no Santonio, and the coach has publicly stated he isnt going back to Steeler run-all-the-time football.... way to risky for a first round pick
Posted by: Alex | July 22, 2010 4:59 PM
What about Saints goal-line back?
Posted by: Brian | July 22, 2010 5:48 PM